Luxury Muscle Car: 1973 Pontiac Grand Am

The Grand Am was introduced on the new GM Colonnade A-body platform in 1973. It was a cross between the Pontiac Grand Prix and Trans Am. Nearly 80% of first-year sales were for the 2-door coupe as opposed to a 4-door sedan. Because the only engines offered were either 400 or 455 cubic inches in thirsty displacement, sales were curtailed by the 1973 OPEC oil embargo. This ’73 example is a nice survivor with 32,000 miles and original paint. Located in Laguna Beach, California, the luxury muscle car is available here on craigslist for $17,500.

Development of the Grand Am was prompted by the growing popularity of imported European sedans like those from Mercedes and BMW. Under the skin, it rode on the A-body platform that also carried the mid-size LeMans. Of 43,000 Grand Ams built in 1973, 34,000 were coupes like the seller’s car. The car was discontinued in 1975 due to less-than-impressive sales but returned in a different format in 1978 and stuck around in one form or another through 2005.

The 400 CI V8 was standard, with a 4-barrel optional as in this vehicle. Most came with the TH-400 automatic transmission, as the 4-speed manual wasn’t a big mover. The seller says a Grand Am played an important role in the John Wayne cop movie, McQ, though I don’t remember it as such. Before the seller, this was a one-owner Pontiac that seems to have been decently cared for.

Though the overall car’s dark green paint is original, we’re told the plastic/rubber snoot has been redone. New to the car are the water pump, timing chain, some brakes, and the tires. The interior is in decent shape for the age, with a couple of tears, a crack in the dash pad, and so forth. This is not a perfect car by any means, but one that you should be able to drive home if you fly in to scoop it up. Thanks for the nifty tip, Barn Finder Barney!